D&D 5E Help with kids game…

[Warpiglet-7]

So my kids are playing over Christmas break.

They are likely to face the “final boss” and unravel the mystery! A spore Druid warped by zuggmtoy has been spreading a bad fungus and it’s ruining the benevolent plant people!

Anyway the party of 4 is on cusp of 3rd level. I could give it to them before final boss.

Here is question:

The kids are smart but green. They don’t have a mastery of their spells. Could they at third level take on a 5th level Druid and few zombies?

Especially if they are not optimal with spells…

They have a cleric (nature), a fey warlock, a swarmkeeper ranger, and a goblin fighter (maybe battle master) when they get to third.

I could pull punches but I like to have earned wins.

They might persuade her, kill her trap her…all are possible: but if they draw swords would they have a chance?

 

[Clint_L]

A party of four level 3s should be able to handle a level 5 druid with a few zombies. That party has good composition, with two ranged strikers, a tank, and a cleric, so even without really mastering their spells, they have options (presumably, the warlock will mostly eldritch blast and the ranger will mostly shoot). In fact, they could potentially take down a level 5 druid (typically 33-38 HP; not a great AC) in one round, depending on how you play it and how they roll, though it'll probably take 2-3.

 

[TheLibrarian]

This isn't exactly what you're asking, but...

Sometimes when I'm in similar situations I will put in a conveniently placed stash of expendable items where the heroes can find it (healing potions, a one use amulet, a wand w/ 2 charges, etc.) Or maybe an NPC drops by with a couple of buffs. This can help insulate them from getting wiped.

And it can be a teaching moment. To your point, younger players often have a hard time know when to use spells. (At least spells that are something other than direct damage.) And some can tend to horde them. By having an extra wand (or something of the like) w/ the same spell that a hero has conveniently drop in their lap it can be a hint/reinforcement of "its ok to use this now."

 

[Maxperson]

So my kids are playing over Christmas break.

They are likely to face the “final boss” and unravel the mystery! A spore Druid warped by zuggmtoy has been spreading a bad fungus and it’s ruining the benevolent plant people!

Anyway the party of 4 is on cusp of 3rd level. I could give it to them before final boss.

Here is question:

The kids are smart but green. They don’t have a mastery of their spells. Could they at third level take on a 5th level Druid and few zombies?

Especially if they are not optimal with spells…

They have a cleric (nature), a fey warlock, a swarmkeeper ranger, and a goblin fighter (maybe battle master) when they get to third.

I could pull punches but I like to have earned wins.

They might persuade her, kill her trap her…all are possible: but if they draw swords would they have a chance?

They should be able to win if they are freshly rested.

 

[aco175]

They should be fine. If you think you might need something, you can add an option for them to find a NPC to aid them. Maybe someone is a prisoner or trapped in ice or corrupted by spores and the PCs have an option to get an ally to aid them for the battle.

 

[Hriston]

This sounds like a 400 XP encounter, assuming three zombies, so it's a medium difficulty encounter and well within the daily budget for a party of four 3rd-level characters. Depending on how fresh they are, they should be fine.

 

[MoFoCThat]

The kids should be fine at 3rd level, but if you're worried, you can make a small group of enemies that they encounter before the final boss that drops healing or other items. It might feel better earned for the players than just having a random stash of items that's just there to find. Something that the kids can practice casting their spells on if you'll leveling them up before the final boss fight.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

The kids should be fine at 3rd level, but if you're worried, you can make a small group of enemies that they encounter before the final boss that drops healing or other items. It might feel better earned for the players than just having a random stash of items that's just there to find. Something that the kids can practice casting their spells on if you'll leveling them up before the final boss fight.

Thought I might also let them free some prisoners that can help fight if they talk them into it….

And maybe asu say some enemies with loot

 

[Fatal_Theory]

I just wouldn't worry much about it. Make a bunch of zombies with one 1hp. Make them swing on a d4 or something. Make sure the main boss downs a couple of them a few times before you let them have him. Maybe have him "kill" one of them mid-fight. Instead of the player dying have them roll on a d6 to see how many fingers they lose.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

I just wouldn't worry much about it. Make a bunch of zombies with one 1hp. Make them swing on a d4 or something. Make sure the main boss downs a couple of them a few times before you let them have him. Maybe have him "kill" one of them mid-fight. Instead of the player dying have them roll on a d6 to see how many fingers they lose.

I added cultists which are easy to kill and in a few places will roll morale for enemies.

Elsewhere, I have enemies that can be recruited to help! There are many ways they can get an advantage.

We shall see! Just got the maps done, descriptions typed up, creatures selected.

Funny enough I just realized I forgot treasure…